Jaguars tight end Marcedes Lewis says he'll end holdout today

The Jaguars will get their franchise-tagged tight end in training camp today.

Marcedes Lewis said he would return to Jacksonville after a five-day holdout.

“Basically they still are negotiating, but I’m tired of not being with my team!,” Lewis said in a text message. “And I need to be there … ”

Lewis said previously he planned to stay in Los Angeles until his contract was settled. The Jaguars placed the franchise tag, worth about $7.3 million, on him last year, but Lewis wants a long-term deal rather than the one-year deal that comes with the franchise tag.

“Marcedes is a man of his word,” Jaguars general manager Gene Smith said. “ … I eagerly anticipate him being back here. He’s a big part of this team and where we’re going. So it’ll be great to see him. I haven’t seen him since the lockout.”

Lewis spoke with Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio on Tuesday and told him he would return to the team today. Lewis also indicated he intends to be in meetings and walkthroughs but won’t participate in practices until his deal is finished.

“I had indicated to him, he just needs to get here, be with the team, get all the install and all that, and we’d keep him out of full contact until he had things resolved,” Del Rio said. “So that was Wednesday. He needs to get here. It’s time to get here.”

Del Rio said he suspected Lewis would be fined for missing camp because he was under contract, but Del Rio didn’t say how much. Per league rules, Lewis can be fined up to $30,000 per day.

Lewis had a career year last season, in the final year of his rookie deal. The Jaguars drafted him in the first round of the 2006 draft.

He caught 58 passes for 700 yards including a 42-yard touchdown. It was one of 10 touchdowns Lewis caught during the season. His 700 yards receiving were the third-most of any tight end in the NFL last season. He was selected to the Pro Bowl.

Last year, Del Rio said Lewis was the most dominant player in training camp.

The Jaguars made an offer to Lewis early last season. After his agent declined the offer, Lewis said he didn’t want negotiations to continue until after the season ended so as to avoid the distraction.

“I want to be treated fair,” Lewis said earlier this month.

The Jaguars have said they want to sign Lewis to a long-term deal, and that became their priority once they signed six unrestricted free agents — linebackers Paul Posluszny and Clint Session, safety Dawan Landry, cornerback Drew Coleman, punter Matt Turk and guard Jason Spitz.

$7.3 mill is a lot of money for one year BUT he wants a long term deal - and as a fan, I want him to be locked into a long term deal too. Lewis is a big part of this offense. PAY HIM! He isnt being greedy by holding out and not practicing - he is being smart. What if he got hurt while practicing and no deal was in place? He would be screwed out of potential millions. He deserves a fair/lucrative deal as he has improved every years he has been with our team - including his HUGE break out 2010 season. Jags, pay him.. get him in pads.. and lets go!

I love to see that he's coming back, and I'm confident that Gene Smith and Wayne Weaver are going to take care of him. I'm hoping it's to the tune of 7 years or so, to keep him a Jaguar for life and to provide Gabbert with another stud on that offense as he develops into a franchise QB.